"We're looking for people willing to give about three hours a week to make a friendly visit to a person with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)," said a member of the Lamda Center AIDS committee and the Lehigh Valley Task Force on AIDS.

The spokesman said the center is aware of at least five local patients who could benefit from such services because of financial difficulties or the lack of nearby family members.

The daylong course, beginning at 9:30 a.m., will be taught by a representative of the Gay Men's Health Crisis, a service and support organization based in New York.

For more information, call the center at 433-7377 or the Allentown Gay Hotline at 433-5444.